After Major Equipment Failure, Clearwater, FL, Police Upgrade Data Center Security

Clearwater Police's critical Data Center's backup power supply literally exploded and failed. It was only six years old. A better solution was found to supply exceptional performance and reliability.

With threats from lightning storms, hurricanes and terrorists, rock solid security of electronic systems is critical. After a catastrophic equipment failure, Clearwater Police Department employed Power Support Engineering, Inc. (PSE), headquartered in Lutz, Florida, to upgrade the backup uninterruptible power supply system (UPS) for the police computer center.

A UPS provides temporary power if utility power sags, becomes irregular, or fails. It also regulates generator power if utility power doesnt promptly resume. Because keeping computers and communications working full time is mandatory, Brian Blatt, President of PSE, specified a redundant UPS system having more capacity and reliability than the devices being replaced. A major consideration -- based on having passed FAAs severest tests, Mitsubishi UPSs are protecting FAA's airport Doppler radar systems nationwide, so the same system was found to be ideal for Clearwaters needs.

Public safety is paramount," says James R. Albright, Police Computer System Commander. Our building is only six years old, and has lightning and surge protection which we recently tested. Then we had a major UPS failure, and thats not acceptable -- batteries exploded, acid was everywhere. Because our electronics system is our nerve center, connecting 350 computers, 911, dispatch, records management, links to other agencies and the outside world, reliability is the main thing. After repairing the original UPS system, our maintenance vendor recommended replacing them all with Mitsubishi. From studying specifications, performance, and recommendations of other users, we determined that Mitsubishi is far superior. Especially for reliability."

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Brian Blatt says, Think how many services the public relies on that could be or have been severely damaged by inadequate or obsolete protective systems when they fail. As with the Clearwater Police, we are protecting numerous critical electronic systems throughout region. With a heightened desire for protecting electronics from lightning and counteracting possible terrorist attacks on the electric power grid, demand for complete and reliable protection is great.

In a field with few specialists, Power Support Engineering is well known for engineering design, facility management and upgrading critical facilities. Especially where power problems hadnt been solved and where there had been protection failures, such as in the Clearwater Police Data Center. Unfortunately for consumers, marketing claims and equipment insurance" dont protect them -- and thats a big problem. They find out the hard way. We see this time after time. Proper engineering and superior products correctly installed do provide dependable security for equipment and people. Its better to hire an experienced power quality electrical engineering firm than rely on a salesperson when getting your moneys worth is at stake; Especially when public safety is on the line."

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For further information, please contact:
James R. Albright
Police Computer System Commander
Clearwater Police Department
645 Pierce Street
Clearwater FL 33756
727-562-4474
JAlbright@ClearwaterPolice.org
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G. Brian Blatt, President
Power Support Engineering, Inc.
18932 Adams Country Way
Lutz FL 33559
813-909-1199
brianb@PowerSupportEng.com